BlackBerry Priv Secure Android Smartphone officially Launched

BlackBerry launched its first Android-based device on Friday. The company has announced the phone and even released a TV commercial for the same on YouTube. With BlackBerry's business tumbling to Android and iPhone - the company announced its own Android phone that exudes features of both an Android and its very own BlackBerry

The phone has a large curved screen. The phone's rich app ecosystem of Android smartphone coupled with the productivity and security features from BlackBerry make it suitable for Enterprise users. Blackberry is betting big on the "Priv Secure Smartphone" as it is named, to regain its market share as a phone manufacturer.

BlackBerry is known for its security features in the past. Data theft, privacy, and several other issues continue to pose a concern for Enterprise users who would prefer a Smartphone that is built over a secure environment and yet something that allows them to be as productive. BlackBerry Priv comes pre-loaded with DTEK feature that notifies users about apps that could pose as a threat to their phones. It also notifies users of apps that attempt to access data or turn on microphone feature or camera.

"You will be blown away by some of the apps you use and how much data they actually access of yours," said BlackBerry's head of devices, Ron Louks.

The smartphone's highlight is the physical slide keyboard. Users get to use Blackberry Keyboard , very native to BlackBerry devices besides being able to use the Google keyboard. The combination of a slide keyboard and the keyboard usually found on Android devices, make this gadget a must have, especially for BlackBerry' loyalists who would like to get a bit nostalgic with the keyboard.

The Priv's top specifications include a 5.4-inch dual-curved QHD screen with a resolution of 2560×1440 pixels. The Priv is powered by a 3,410mAh battery and a Schneider-Kreuznach certified 18-megapixel primary camera with dual-LED flash, optical image stabilization to ensure great clarity to the images, and the ability to record 4K videos. The Priv also features a 2 MP camera with wide selfie mode.

The BlackBerry Priv's comes at a heavy price tag of $699 (roughly Rs. 46,100) without a contract in the United States and C$899 without a contract in Canada.

Should the BlackBerry Priv do well, it could only mean a comeback for BlackBerry's hardware business. BlackBerry's perennial focus has been its software and security features. However, the company said it will stick to the hardware specs if the new Android phone does well.